January 26th, 2015
by Eric Durr
Soldiers with Joint Task Force Empire Shield work with members of the FDNY EMT during a major blizzard Jan. 26, 2015. The storm, believed to be one of the most powerful in recent history, managed to shut down all NYC airports, subways and other forms of public transit. The soldiers were on hand to provide support to first responders in case of a major emergency. (New York Air National Guard/Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy/Released)
NEW YORK- The New York National Guard had 394 Soldiers on duty this morning as New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley entered the second day of a three-day weather event.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo called out the National Guard troops Monday, Jan. 26, as part of a coordinated New York State response to a blizzard hitting parts of the northeast today.
Weather forcasters had predicted a massive storm.
The governor declared a state of emergency on Monday, Jan. 26 and banned travel on major roadways Monday night. The New York City and regional transit systems were also shut down.
“With forecasts showing a potentially historic blizzard for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley, we are preparing for the worst and I urge all New Yorkers to do the same – take this storm seriously and put safety first,†the governor said on Monday.
This morning, conditions in New York City and Hudson Valley were better than expected, Cuomo said during a morning news conference. The travel bans put in place Monday night were lifted in much of the region.
However, snow conditions on eastern Long Island were considerably heavier, the governor cautioned.
In New York City, 50 National Guard Soldiers positioned 25 Humvees at fire stations across the five boroughs of the city in order to support emergency medical technicians. The National Guard Soldiers are there to drive EMTs to locations on roads which may become impassable due to high snow accumulations.
Six high-axle trucks were also available to the New York City Fire Department to move patients for short distances on snow-clogged side streets if ambulances could not get down the streets.
On Long Island and in the Hudson Valley New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on hand to provide mobility for New York State Troops if necessary.
Engineer equipment was moved into the region from 204th Engineer Battalion units in Kingston, Binghamton, Horseheads, and Buffalo. Soldiers from the 152nd Engineer Company in Buffalo, who were the first National Guard responders when Erie County was pounded with seven foot lake effect snows in November, 2014, were dispatched to the Hudson Valley to assist downstate New Yorkers.
National Guard tractor trailers were on hand on Long Island to assist in moving state emergency supplies if requested.
A total of 97 pieces of equipment, to include 75 high-axle trucks and Humvees were dedicated to the National Guard response mission. Twelve Dump trucks, four front-end loaders, and seven small skid-steer loaders were also assigned to provide support if necessary. back...
Soldiers with Joint Task Force Empire Shield work with members of the FDNY EMT during a major blizzard Jan. 26, 2015. The storm, believed to be one of the most powerful in recent history, managed to shut down all NYC airports, subways and other forms of public transit. The soldiers were on hand to provide support to first responders in case of a major emergency. (New York Air National Guard/Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy/Released)NEW YORK- The New York National Guard had 394 Soldiers on duty this morning as New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley entered the second day of a three-day weather event.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo called out the National Guard troops Monday, Jan. 26, as part of a coordinated New York State response to a blizzard hitting parts of the northeast today.
Weather forcasters had predicted a massive storm.
The governor declared a state of emergency on Monday, Jan. 26 and banned travel on major roadways Monday night. The New York City and regional transit systems were also shut down.
“With forecasts showing a potentially historic blizzard for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley, we are preparing for the worst and I urge all New Yorkers to do the same – take this storm seriously and put safety first,†the governor said on Monday.
This morning, conditions in New York City and Hudson Valley were better than expected, Cuomo said during a morning news conference. The travel bans put in place Monday night were lifted in much of the region.
However, snow conditions on eastern Long Island were considerably heavier, the governor cautioned.
In New York City, 50 National Guard Soldiers positioned 25 Humvees at fire stations across the five boroughs of the city in order to support emergency medical technicians. The National Guard Soldiers are there to drive EMTs to locations on roads which may become impassable due to high snow accumulations.
Six high-axle trucks were also available to the New York City Fire Department to move patients for short distances on snow-clogged side streets if ambulances could not get down the streets.
On Long Island and in the Hudson Valley New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were on hand to provide mobility for New York State Troops if necessary.
Engineer equipment was moved into the region from 204th Engineer Battalion units in Kingston, Binghamton, Horseheads, and Buffalo. Soldiers from the 152nd Engineer Company in Buffalo, who were the first National Guard responders when Erie County was pounded with seven foot lake effect snows in November, 2014, were dispatched to the Hudson Valley to assist downstate New Yorkers.
National Guard tractor trailers were on hand on Long Island to assist in moving state emergency supplies if requested.
A total of 97 pieces of equipment, to include 75 high-axle trucks and Humvees were dedicated to the National Guard response mission. Twelve Dump trucks, four front-end loaders, and seven small skid-steer loaders were also assigned to provide support if necessary. back...
